Steam/smoke emitted from a fumarole. Many times the sound(like heavy exhaling) was almost deafening! (and scary)

We went to this thermal basin that was ....unearthly! Honestly, I thought Yellowstone might "blow". There were several craters(like this) and I couldn't see most of the crater due to steam-clouds. Nothing can live here. Often I can see buffalo and elk tracks near thermals. Not here!

Who is that woman carrying the tripod?

There are miles-n-miles of boardwalks leading to many thermal events. Boardwalks were originally built following animal tracks(trails). Animals never get "boiled" since they sense thermal activity directly under them. Remember I said that thermal acvtivity ...moves. It moves super-slowly so boardwalks are safe. However I *did* see a "leg" of a boardwalk "boiled/charred" by thermal activity. It was repaired.

Thermal activity extended under rivers and Yellowstone Lake. Now this water is soooo cold that it freezes-over in winter but the boiling thermal activity *sometimes* creates holes in the ice. Can you imagine the steam created when boiling water hits 30 below temps???

Many geysers, hot pools have tremendous color, like turquoise, orange, yellow, blue. Colors result from various micro-organisms. Hard to believe that anything can thrive at boiling temperatures.

another

indescribable

The park's policy is obvious. (looks like driftwood on a shore - how far away is the sea?) I wonder how long ago this tree could live here.

I've seen 100-150 dead trees next to thermal activity.

Amazing colors.

Many hot pools allowed a glimpse into the earth ....down deep(well sorta).

Don't ask me how these patterns were formed. There were signs explaining this phenomena(saw it 3-5 times) but I was suffering from "information overload". Walked right past the signs. At times the sulphur smell was stong.

One of the geysers "went off" as we were at the basin.

Same event but a close-up photo.

I'm not sure about this but I think that this is the run-off of water that occured from that event. As you can see it's happened hundreds(or thousands) of times and the hot water spills into the river. In fact we saw evidence of several run-offs into this river.

90% of what I saw were geysers or fumaroles. I like mudpots best! I find them to be the LEAST intimidating. They make this delightful popping sound. I could stare at the mud all day in anticipation of a bubble ...or whatever.

(giant mudpot) Yellowstone is 70% caldera. A caldera is a collapsed volcano. Latest volcanic explosion occured 600,000 yrs ago. The Yellowstone caldera(hot spot), caused by a super-volcano, has erupted 2 other times before the latest. It's due! If you look at picture taken in 1890 and compare it to today...you can *see* that the land is swelling. (a sign of imminent eruption)

I dunno what this pic is doing here! Tis true, we saw bison herds(and loners) frequently.

An interesting root ...tree attached ...down!

Gibbon Falls in the high country.

Along Lake Yellowstone is a famous Geyser basin. The pools *look* inviting, but-but they contain scalding water though often, no steam, nor boiling makes this obvious. Serene setting!

Same situation. The dead christmas tree clues us. I wonder about the wooden boardwalk next to the tree. Thermal areas move. You can see Lake Yellowstone in background.

These hot(steamy) and colorful streams will terminate at Lake Yellowstone.

We were getting in the car when this elk was spotted 15 yards from our vehicle at Lake Yellowstone. Bill got this shot right before the elk "bugled". We were told that this sound means "get back". We obeyed. BTW, this is an elk not a mule deer.

This shot is taken from Old Faithful's viewing platform. Yep, the famous inn. The arrow is pointing to Old Faithful Geyser.

You are seeing the front of Old Faithful Inn. Bill says "It's built like a gigantic barn ..a well-built barn". The structure is ALL wood except for the stone fireplaces. The structure is so old that I don't know how long it will remain as an inn. We ate dinner there one night but stayed at the Old Faithful Snow Lodge(cheaper and built in 1998). Viewing deck/platform is over drive thru.

At the very top an orchestra used to sit and play. Not anymore. (can you imagine anything falling!)

Neat place. From snow lodge I could see a roof repair near one of the inn's chimneys. This place must be a nightmare to maintain.

Open range. Bison herds crossed the road 4-6x while we were traveling.

Nice-looking bison, look at the fur.

2 valleys that were suggested for wildlife, Hayden Valley and Lamar Valley. You are looking at Hayden Valley. Many of those dots are bison.

On our first trip to Hayden Valley we saw these otters. From a distance I thought bison were crossing cause the huge animals are totally submerged when they swim, except their heads.

Bill ran down the field to the river with another photographer and caught these images.

Cute.

Four Otters.

Every otter for himself!.

Yellowstone's Grand Canyon. You are looking at the lighted-sides with a terrific foreground. I love this picture.

Yellowstone's Grand Canyon.

The curvaceous canyon and exciting river makes the composition riveting in this shot.

Wow.

Yellowstone's Grand Canyon.

Yellowstone's Grand Canyon - this shot is at the TOP of the huge waterfall, right before the water falls .